SALT LIGHT

Lesson 1

POWER PHRASEI can admit when I am wrong!

memory verseJames 5:16, “Confess your trespasses to one another, that you may be healed.”

Supporting doctrinesFor supporting doctrines, see Novo’s Statement of Faith at https://novoministries.org/

statement-of-faith.

GoalsThe child will...• Realize that everyone sins and needs God’s love and forgiveness.

• Know that it takes courage to admit when he is wrong.• Choose to admit when he is wrong.

• Believe on Jesus as his Savior.

RemindersIn each lesson we are emphasizing a different leadership trait. In this lesson the emphasis

is on admitting you are wrong. It takes a great amount of fortitude to utter the words, “I

was wrong; I’m sorry.” Other words for fortitude are strength, courage, resilience,

determination, endurance, and guts. A person is definitely not weak if he possesses the

ability to admit he are wrong.

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saul admits he was wrong bible storyRecommended Visuals• Bible Story visuals*

Recommended Supplies• Bible, dress shirt or bathrobe, flashlight

Captivate #1 — Helping Hands!

• Choose two boys to act out the Bible Story. The first child will be Saul, the main

character in the story. Recruit a second child to be the arms of the main character.

The second boy will stand behind the first and put his hands through the sleeves of

the shirt/robe. He will be in charge of any hand movements throughout the story.

Button up the shirt or tie the robe in the back. Be sure to add a lot of activity and

expressions that the character can have throughout the story.

Captivate #2 — Key Word!

• Identify several key words that you will use in the story. Before telling the story, tell

the children an action or a sound effect for each of the key words. Make sure that, as

you tell the story, you repeat these words throughout the story. Pause each time you

use one of the words so that the children can do the action or sound effect. Possible

key words could be Saul (the children yell, “admit you are wrong!”), Christians (the

children yell, “followed God!”), and Damascus (the children yell, “blinding light!”).

Background

• Saul was born in Tarsus. He then moved to Jerusalem with his family. As a young man

he attended university in Jerusalem and became a professor and religious leader. He

was also a tentmaker by trade. Saul believed that those who followed Jesus – the

Christians – were wrong and they should be punished. He felt so strongly that he

asked the high priest for permission to arrest and imprison the Christians in

Damascus.

Story• Retell the story from Acts 9:1-18.

• See Story Script.

Conclusion

• Saul’s experience with God on the road to Damascus changed his life! He admitted he

was wrong and gave up everything to become a follower of Jesus. He became one of

the most remarkable followers of Christ. He served God faithfully for many years,

preaching and teaching even when he faced persecution. A large part of the New

Testament is written by him. He is still sharing about Jesus today through his writings!

Testimony• Share how you realized that you were a sinner and needed to ask Jesus to forgive

your sins and be the Lord of your life.

• Share a time that you realized that you were doing something wrong and needed to

make it right.

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challengeRecommended Visuals• picture of Lecrae*, Key Point visual*, Power Phrase visual*, Memory Verse visual*

Supplies• Bible

Introduction

• Tell the children about Lecrae who is a follower of Jesus Christ as well as a very

popular and influential hip hop artist, songwriter, producer and actor. He grew up

experiencing abuse and neglect. He was involved in gangs, drugs, theft and alcohol.

One day his mother told him he needed to read the Bible. He ripped pages out of the

Bible and threw them on the ground saying he didn’t need it. He attended a

conference with a friend where he met people who were truly in love with Jesus.

Someone got up and said, “Do you know you’ve been bought with a price?” Lecrae

realized that he was important enough for Jesus to die for him.• Share that God has used Lecrae to share the love of Jesus with thousands of people

through his music. He wants to bring hope and encouragement. He strives to stay

close to the source of his worth – God! He says, “I just have to have integrity and be

true to who I am and what I believe in.” His beliefs are all centered on his relationship

with God.

Key Points

God will forgive you when you admit that you are wrong!

• We all make mistakes, but God loves us and will forgive us if we ask (Romans 3:23;

5:8).

• Lecrae knew he needed to change his life. He knew what he was doing was wrong.

God forgave Lecrae when he admitted he was wrong and asked for forgiveness.

You will grow as a person when you admit when you are wrong!

• When we are honest about the things we do wrong, we can make changes and grow

as a person. No one is perfect, but we always need to strive to improve on who we

are.• “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

• Lecrae’s life was changed for the better when he admitted that he was a sinner and

needed a Savior.

You will be respected by others when you admit when you are wrong!• It is a sign of strength to be able to admit when you are wrong and make a change in

your life. People will respect you for being honest and admitting when you are wrong.

• We need to be an example of someone who lives his life to honor God – an example

to others through our example in what we say and do (1 Timothy 4:12).

• Lecrae has used his own story to mentor and encourage others.

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challenge continuedConclusion

I can admit when I am wrong!

• Lecrae had a “Damascus Road” experience. He knew that the way he was living was

wrong and that Jesus was the only way to be saved. His life was changed and God

has been able to do great things through him because he was willing to admit he was

wrong.• Just like Lecrae, we can admit when we are wrong. God loves us so much and is there

to forgive us and help us. All we have to do is ask!• Invite the unsaved child to ask Jesus to forgive him of his sins and become the Lord of

his life (Acts 16:31).

• Challenge the saved child to ask Jesus to help him become more like Him, to admit

when he is wrong.

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LIGHT IN THE DARK arriving activitySupplies

• flashlight, black construction paper, picture of a flashlight in the dark*

Instructions and Application• As the children arrive, ask them what a flashlight is used for. Talk about how it helps

you see in the dark and lights your way so you don’t get lost or hurt. Turn the

flashlight on and talk about the light itself. Without the light, the flashlight is useless.

Ask the children what would happen if you covered the flashlight with black paper.

After they have responded, cover the flashlight with the black paper. Explain that just

like the black paper keeps the flashlight from being able to shine, sin affects our

relationship with God. Explain that when we ask for forgiveness and ask Jesus to be

the Lord of our lives, our sin is taken away. There is nothing that separates us from

God. This doesn’t mean we won’t make mistakes; Jesus is always there, willing to

forgive us. • In John 8:12b Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not

walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” • Explain that we will hear a story today about a man in the Bible who realized he was

wrong and needed to ask God for forgiveness.

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holes gospel presentationSupplies• Foundational Gospel Truths “Who Is God?” visual*, Foundational Gospel Truths

“What’s Your Choice?” visual*

Supplies

• a piece of construction paper, a toothpick or pencil

Instructions and Application• Explain to the children that just like Saul, each of us sins. It is sin that separates us

from knowing God. Take out the paper and ask them to tell you things that they do

wrong. While you repeat each of the things they list, poke holes in the paper. Tell

them that each mark represents their sin. Ask if any of the children are able to take

the marks out of the board. Have them explain why they cannot remove the holes in

the board.

• Just like the holes in the paper can’t be taken away, we cannot take away our sins.

God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for our sins. We can be forgiven of

our sins. We can have a relationship with God (John 3:16).

DiscussionOlder Team: Have them look up and discuss the verses on the “What’s Your Choice?”

Foundational Gospel Truths visual. Allow them time to write or ask questions they have

about what it means to have a relationship with God.

Younger Team: Help them look up the verse Acts 16:31. Have them tell you what they

think it means to believe on Jesus and have a relationship with Him.

Quiet Team: Have them draw a picture of things they do that they need to ask for

forgiveness for.

Active Team: Have them pick a partner and play “Rock, Paper, Scissors.” The winner in

each round will tell their partner something that they can ask God to forgive.

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butterfly memory verseVisuals• Memory Verse visual*, picture of a caterpillar and a butterfly*

Supplies• writing tools, paper, ball

A.G.A.I.N. Acrostic

A — ATTENTION GRABBER

Ask the children if they have ever seen a butterfly. The butterfly starts out as a caterpillar.

Discuss the transformation of the caterpillar into a butterfly. It becomes something new.

Have the children point out all the differences between the caterpillar and the butterfly.

Just like the butterfly, when we ask Jesus to forgive our sins and be the Lord of our life,

we also become a “new creation.” When we do things wrong against someone else, it is

also important to admit it to them and ask for forgiveness. It will bring healing in our

relationships.

G — GOD’S WORD

James 5:16, “Confess your trespasses to one another, that you may be healed.”

A — AWARENESS

I — IN THEIR LIVES

Unsaved Child (Questions to ask an unsaved child)

Saved Child (Questions to ask a saved child)

N — NUMBER OF TIMES

Memorization Activity

• Play Hot Potato. Have the children sit in a circle or around the table. Each child will

say a word of the verse as he passes the ball around the group. If a child misses a

word, have him start the verse over. Speed up the verse to make the game more

challenging.

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butterfly memory verse continuedDiscussion• Older Team: Have the children give examples of how our our lives can be changed if

we ask Jesus to forgive our sin and be the Lord our lives.• Younger Team: Have the children hook their thumbs together and flap their fingers to

create a butterfly. Talk about the different ways our lives can change if we ask Jesus

to be the Lord of our lives.• Quiet Team: Have the children draw a picture of a caterpillar and it transforming into a

butterfly. Have them give examples of how our lives can be changed if we ask Jesus

to forgive their sins and be the Lord of our lives.

• Active Team: Remind the children that just like the butterfly, we can become a new

creation if we ask Jesus to be the Lord of our lives. Explain that you will toss the ball

to someone. Whoever catches the ball will give an example of how his life could be

changed if he asked Jesus to be the Lord of his life.

flashback review questionsSupplies• sheet of review questions with storyboard boxes to write or draw the story (one per

child)*

Large Group Review Questions

• Where was Saul born? (Tarsus)

• Where did he attend university? (Jerusalem)• What did Saul believe about Christians? (Their religious beliefs were wrong and

should be punished.)• What did he ask permission for from the high priest? (To imprison the Christians)

• Where was Saul traveling to? (Damascus)

• What appeared before him? (A bright light)• What did God say to Saul? (Why are you persecuting me?)

• What happened to Saul’s sight? (He was blinded.)• Where did the other men take Saul? (To Damascus)

• Who did God send to Saul? (Ananias)

• What was Ananias supposed to do? (Touch Saul and his sight would be restored)• What did Saul do after his sight returned? (Was baptized)

Discussion Questions• Why do you think God chose to appear to Saul in a bright light?

• What do you think would have happened if Saul had rejected God that day?

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glowing signs craftVisuals• craft sample*

Supplies• “I can admit when I am wrong!” papers (one per child)*, glow-in-the-dark paint, paint

brushes, plastic table cloth to minimize mess

Instructions and Application• Remind the children that today we are learning how important it is to be able to admit

when we are wrong. Tell them that today we are going to make a glow in the dark

sign for their rooms to remind them to admit when they are wrong and make good

choices. The glow-in-the-dark paint will also be a reminder to be a light to the world.

When we make good choices, others will notice and want to know what is different

about us. It gives us an opportunity to share with them about Jesus, to be a “light to

the world.”• Give each child an “I can admit when I am wrong!” paper, a paint brush, and glow-in-

the-dark paint. Encourage them to paint their picture however they would like.

Remind them that the paint will glow so they will want to paint the words so they can

read them in the dark.

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WHAT’S THE POINT application activitiesSupplies• paper, writing tools, “I can admit when I am wrong!” cards*

Activity #1• Hand out the “I can admit when I am wrong!” cards to each child. Have the children

share specific areas in their lives where they struggle with admitting that they are

wrong. Then have them think about ways that they can overcome that struggle. • An example might be, WHAT’S WRONG? I struggle with yelling at my little brother

because it annoys me that he always wants to hang out with me and my friends.

WHAT’S THE ANSWER? I need to set some time to hang out with my brother; then

other times it’s okay for it to just be me and my friends. I need to respect my brother

and talk to him and not yell.• The important part of this activity is encouraging the children as they identify their

problems and discover solutions on their own.

Activity #2

• Have the children take turns acting out different scenarios they encounter where they

realize that they are doing something wrong and how they can correct it. If you have a

group that is more quiet, you could choose to have them draw a picture instead.

NoW WHAT? ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIESSupplies

• Saul Secret Word Message*• The Big Take Away Key Chain*

• Road to Damascus Coloring Page*

Instructions and Application• These activities are to be used with your team as time fillers while reinforcing the

lesson concepts. The children can take these home each week or do them while they

are listening to you teach during Small Group. These activities require little to no

explanation and can be great for moments when you are transitioning or don’t have

time to start another activity.

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SALT LIGHT

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